Crown Arginium

The State of Arginium.

The Empress


Margaret I - Margaret Eugenia Marie Faversham, born 6 April 1881 - is Empress of Arginium. She has reigned since 9 February 1905.

Early Life
Margaret was born in the early morning on 6 April 1881 at Arvendon Palace, in Leesoft, during the reign of her paternal grandfather, the Emperor Malcolm IX. She is the eldest child of the Duke and Duchess of Karlington - her father, the future Emperor Harold III, was second child of Malcolm IX. Her mother, the future Empress Louisa, was the fourth of five children (and eldest daughter) of the Count of Westonly.

Margaret was baptised in the Imperial Chapel at Belhurst Palace by the Archbishop of Bandor on 10 May 1881. Her given name comes from the legendary fifteenth century Duchess Margaret, remembered by history as "Iron Maggie". Her two middle names come from her paternal and maternal grandmothers, respectively.

Margaret is the eldest of three, with a brother (Stephen Alexander, Duke of Ledford, born 19 November 1883) and a sister (Mary Anne, Duchess of Highbury, born 7 June 1886), younger than she. From an early age, she demonstrated a deep fondness for horses and dogs, and quickly gained notice as a “thoughtful, hard working, and responsible young woman”.

In her youth, she was very close to her grandfather, Malcolm IX. In his personal journal, the emperor wrote frequently of how much he looked forward to her visits, and they would enjoy long chats or he would tell her stories, always over tea. Throughout her childhood, she resided at Lansington, spending her holidays with the extended imperial family at Gottlesfont Palace and Pavenham House.

Education
Margaret and her siblings were educated at Lansington by private tutors, under the supervision of her mother and governess. Her education focused heavily on history, mathematics, language, literature, music, and the general sciences. She attended the University of Roseminster between 1897 and 1901, and has a masters degree in botany. Her favorite pastime is attending to the plants in her personal greenhouses at Belhurst and Rivermead House and she has likewise studied the various plants she cares for extensively, and has contributed several research papers to the literature of the care for and proper crossbreeding of flowering plants.

Personal Life
Margaret has been married since 12 June 1900 to Andrew Barlow, eldest son of the then-Count of Roxleigh. He also holds the title of Duke of Milflor, a title granted to him by Harold III on their wedding day, which was also his sole title until Margaret ascended to the throne. Prior to her accession, Margaret and Andrew resided primarily at Goldfair House, in the Balfour Square district of the capital. The day after the ceremony, the couple was presented Rivermead House, a country estate near the village of Stromsgrove in County Guildwater, by Harold III as a wedding gift. This house remains a favourite holiday retreat of the Empress, and she spends several weeks a year there during various holidays and other special occasions.

Margaret gave birth to her first child, son Marcus, at Goldfair House on 15 August 1902. On 1 September 1902, the same day he was baptised at Belhurst by the Archbishop of Bandor, he was named Duke of Vislawn. As the heir apparent, Marcus was styled Prince of Hileen the day his mother acceded to the throne. After graduation from Grosvenor Academy, he attended the University of Roseminster and acquired a bachelor's degree in engineering before joining the Arginian Navy in 1922. He would serve for twenty-one years, retiring in 1943 with the rank of commodore. He has since devoted his efforts to various social causes and is patron of several prominent charities. As Prince of Hileen, his primary residence has been Goldfair House, though he maintains a private estate at Whitland Manor.

A second child, son John, was born at Goldfair House on 18 March 1924. Emperor Harold III granted him the title of Duke of Kinvale on 5 April, the day he was christened at Belhurst. Like his mother and elder brother, he attended Grosvenor Academy before going to the University of Roseminster, where he acquired a bachelors degree in programming before joining the Arginian Air Force in 1944. He served ten years, stepping down from active duty in 1954 with the rank of group commander. Since then, he has dedicated much of his free time to an extensive personal research of the computational sciences, and has a well-equipped laboratory at his private residence, Crawdon Manor. He has also become a consultant to the advanced research unit at STRADA.

The couple’s third child, son Matthew, was born at Goldfair House on 22 April 1926. He was christened at Belhurst on 8 May 1926, and the same day was named Duke of Mosrace by his grandfather. He resides at Hopfield Manor.

Margaret welcomed her fourth and last child, daughter Beatrice, who was born at Rivermead House on 7 May 1928. She was christened on 23 May, at Belhurst, and was granted the title of Duchess of Casfrel by Harold III the same day. She presently resides at Wynrett Manor.

Reign
Upon her accession, Margaret became the sixty-first monarch to govern Arginium, and is the leader of the Royal House of Faversham.

Imperial Office

 * The Empress
 * Privy Secretariat
 * Secretary Imperial
 * Board of Chamberlains
 * Lord Chamberlain
 * Board of Stewards
 * Lord Steward

Prime Minister’s Office

 * Prime Minister
 * Office of the Principle Secretary
 * Co-ordinator of Correspondence
 * Co-ordinator of Policy
 * Co-ordinator of Public Relations

Cabinet

 * Department of State for Foreign Affairs (Foreign Department)
 * Bureau of Diplomatic Security
 * Bureau of Information & Research
 * Bureau of Protocol
 * Diplomatic Service (DiploServ)
 * Consular Service (ConsuServ)
 * Department of State for National Defence (National Defence Department)
 * Arginian Defence Forces
 * Arginian Air Force
 * Arginian Army
 * Arginian Navy
 * Arginian Strategic Forces
 * Department of State for Home Affairs (Home Department)
 * Bureau of Corrections
 * Bureau of Identity & Passports
 * Bureau of Mental Hygiene
 * Bureau of Probation
 * Criminal Investigations Service
 * Department of State for the Economy & Finance (Finance Department)
 * Bureau of the Budget
 * Bureau of the Census
 * Bureau of Consumer Affairs
 * Bureau of Engraving & Printing
 * Bureau of Inland Revenue
 * Financial Markets Authority
 * Institute for Statistics & Economic Studies
 * Department of State for Justice (Judicial Department)
 * Civil Affairs Division
 * Criminal Division
 * Judicial Affairs Division
 * Tax Division
 * Public Prosecutions Service
 * Department of State for Labour & Insurance
 * Bureau of Labour Mediation
 * Bureau of Labour Safety
 * Insurance Regulatory Authority
 * National Pensions Authority
 * Department of State for Public Health
 * Bureau of Disease Control & Prevention
 * Bureau of Foodstuffs & Consumables
 * Bureau of Occupational Standards
 * National Institute for Disease Control & Prevention
 * National Institute for Public Health Surveillance
 * Department of State for Works & Infrastructure (Works Department)
 * Bureau of Civil Engineering
 * Bureau of Land & Survey
 * Department of State for Agriculture & Food
 * Bureau of Agricultural Research
 * Bureau of Rural Development
 * Farm Services Agency
 * National Dairy & Grain Commission
 * National Fisheries Commission
 * National Livestock Commission
 * Department of State for International Trade
 * Bureau of Industry & Security
 * Bureau of Patents & Trademarks
 * Bureau of Price Administration
 * Bureau of Statistics
 * Competition & Markets Authority
 * Department of State for the Environment & Conservation
 * Bureau of Mines
 * Bureau of Reclamation
 * National Forestry Commission
 * National Parks Service
 * Department of State for Education & Training
 * Bureau of Primary Education
 * Bureau of Secondary Education
 * Bureau of Special Education
 * Department of State for Social Development
 * National Benefits Agency
 * National Children & Seniors Agency
 * Workcentre Arginium
 * Department of State for Media & Culture
 * National Communications Commission
 * National Museums Commission
 * Museum of Arts & Culture
 * Museum of Conservation & Natural Resources
 * Museum of History
 * Museum of Human Rights
 * Museum of Science & Technology
 * National Film Commission
 * National Telefilm Commission
 * National Tourism Commission
 * Department of State for Transport (Transport Department)
 * Bureau of Aviation
 * Bureau of Motorways & Railways
 * Bureau of Ports & Harbours
 * Bureau of Transit Safety

State Administrations

 * General Post Administration (GPA)
 * National Archives & Records Administration (NARA)
 * National Exchequer (NEX)
 * National Health Administration (NHA)
 * National Space Administration (NSA)
 * National Veterans Affairs Administration (NVAA)
 * Strategic Research & Development Administration (STRADA)

Standalone Agencies

 * Bank of Arginium
 * Directorate-General for Border Security (DGBS)(border security & customs)
 * Directorate-General for Communications (DGC)(signals intelligence)
 * Directorate-General for External Security (DGES)(foreign intelligence)
 * Directorate-General for Internal Security (DGIS)(domestic intelligence)
 * Elections Arginium (EA)
 * Water & Power Regulatory Authority (WPRA)

National Law Agencies

 * National Police (NP)

Legislative

 * Senate (116 hereditary & 232 life peers)
 * Office of the President of the Senate
 * Office of the Leader of the Government in the Senate
 * Office of the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
 * Office of the Chief Clerk of the Senate
 * Office of the Chief Teller of the Senate
 * National Assembly (577 deputies, two-round direct elections)
 * Office of the Speaker of the National Assembly
 * Office of the Leader of the Government in the National Assembly
 * Office of the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly
 * Office of the Chief Clerk of the National Assembly
 * Office of the Chief Teller of the National Assembly


 * Office of the Access to Information Commissioner
 * Office of the Conflict of Interest & Ethics Commissioner
 * Office of the Lobbying Commissioner


 * Political Parties
 * Centre Party (centrist, 33 seats)
 * Conservative Party (centre-right, 210 seats)
 * Green Party (left-wing, 14 seats)
 * Liberal Party (centre-left, 320 seats)

Judicial

 * Supreme Court
 * Office of the Chief Clerk of the Supreme Court
 * Office of the Reporter of Decisions
 * Office of the Solicitor General
 * Judicial Library of the Supreme Court

State Corporations

 * Arginian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)
 * Arginian Deposit Corporation (ADC)
 * Export-Import Bank of Arginium (EXIM)
 * National Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC)
 * Pensions & Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC)
 * Savings & Investment Arginium (SIA)
 * Transport Arginium (TRA)

Surnames

 * Belgrove
 * Beresford
 * Calvert
 * Cubitt
 * Findleridge
 * Hardwicke
 * Hargreaves
 * Huxtable
 * Ionides
 * Markham
 * Parsons
 * Presbury
 * Winter

Places

 * Grovershire
 * Edgewater
 * Hazelvale
 * Highbury
 * Karlington
 * Ledford Park
 * Lensington
 * Roxleigh
 * Watergap
 * Westonly
 * Noblebranch
 * Summergrove
 * Graceview
 * Lansdowne
 * Warsen
 * Cloverfield
 * Gladfax
 * Humdall
 * Egersley
 * Highwood
 * Montwens
 * Broadriver
 * Hopfield
 * Whitland
 * Emelle
 * Windermere
 * Beckinsdale
 * Barcombe
 * Redwick Bush
 * Larton
 * Grafton
 * Goodmond
 * Calford
 * Pomparley
 * Garlsey
 * Dorston
 * Lorton
 * Mirador
 * Oldingham
 * Harwood
 * Laventhorpe
 * Wulworth
 * Belsize Park
 * Arnos Grove
 * Acton Town
 * Baron's Court
 * Holloway Park

Arstotzka

 * Ministry of Admissions
 * Ministry of Agriculture
 * Ministry of Health
 * Minustry of Income
 * Ministry of Information
 * Ministry of Justice
 * Ministry of Labour
 * Ministry of Propaganda
 * Ministry of Security
 * Ministry of Trade


 * yotronium, uploitium, opline, iosnium

Eastminster System
An Eastminster system of government includes some or all of the following features -


 * A head of state who functions as the legal and constitutional holder of executive power, and holds numerous reserve powers, but whose daily duties primarily consist of performing ceremonial, diplomatic, and other state functions.
 * A head of government (or head of the executive), known commonly as the Prime Minister (PM). They can also be referred to as as Premier, Chief Minister, or First Minister.  While the head of state appoints the head of government, constitutional convention suggests that a majority of elected Members of Parliament must support the person appointed.  If more than half of elected parliamentarians belong to the same political party, then the parliamentary leader of that party typically is appointed.
 * An executive branch led by the head of government usually made up of members of the legislature with the senior members of the executive in a cabinet adhering to the principle of cabinet collective responsibility; such members execute executive authority on behalf of the nominal or theoretical executive authority. An example is the Cabinet in Arginium.
 * An independent, non-partisan civil service which advises on, and implements, decisions of those ministers. Civil servants hold permanent appointments and can expect merit-based selection processes and continuity of employment when governments change.
 * A parliamentary opposition (in a multi-party system) with an official Leader of the Opposition.
 * A legislature, often bicameral, with at least one elected house – although unicameral systems also exist; legislative members are usually elected by district in first-past-the-post or simple plurality elections.
 * A lower house of parliament with an ability to dismiss a government by "withholding (or blocking) Supply" (rejecting a budget), passing a motion of no confidence, or defeating a confidence motion. The Eastminster system enables a government to be defeated or forced into a general election independently.
 * A parliament which can be dissolved and snap elections called at any time.
 * Parliamentary privilege, which allows the legislature to discuss any issue it deems relevant, without fear of consequences stemming from defamatory statements or records thereof.
 * Minutes of meetings, often known as Hanwell, though there is no ability for the legislature to strike discussion from these minutes.
 * The ability of courts to address silence or ambiguity in the parliament's statutory law through the development of common law. Another parallel system of legal principles also exists known as equity.

Most of the procedures of the Eastminster system originated with the conventions, practices, and precedents of the National Parliament of Arginium, which form the core of the Constitution of that nation.

Reserve Powers
In Arginium, the Sovereign retains the following reserve powers, which are codified in the Constitution -


 * To refuse to dissolve Parliament when requested by the Prime Minister.
 * To appoint a Prime Minister of his or her own choosing.
 * To dismiss a Prime Minister and his or her Government on the Head of State's own authority.
 * To summon and prorogue Parliament.
 * To command the Armed Forces.
 * To dismiss and appoint Secretaries of State.
 * To commission officers in the Armed Forces.
 * To issue and withdraw passports.
 * To create Crown Corporations via Charter.
 * To grant state honours.
 * To grant Prerogative of Mercy.
 * To delay a bill's assent through the use of his or her reserve powers in near-revolutionary situations, thereby vetoing the bill.
 * To refuse the Imperial Assent of a parliamentary bill on the advice of Cabinet.
 * To declare War and Peace.
 * To deploy the Armed Forces overseas.
 * To ratify and make treaties.

Leadership

 * Commander-in-Chief - Empress Margaret I
 * Secretary of State for National Defence - Sir Owen Owens
 * Chiefs of Staff Committee
 * Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee - Admiral Sir Christopher Penning
 * Chief of the Air Staff - Air Marshal Sir George Harding
 * Chief of the Army Staff - General Michael Baker
 * Chief of the Naval Staff - Admiral Sir Roland Gibbs
 * Chief of the Strategic Staff - General Dame Elizabeth Waller

Manpower

 * Military Age - 16
 * Conscription - no (in abeyance)
 * Active Personnel - 1.25 million
 * Reserve Personnel - 550,000
 * Deployed Personnel - 1,800,000

Expenditure

 * Annual Budget - £280.5 billion
 * Percentage of GDP - 5.0%
 * Annual GDP - £5.61 trillion

Elites

 * Black Rifles
 * Sigma Squadron

Aircraft Flown

 * Bomber, Stealth
 * Bomber, Strategic
 * Bomber, Strike
 * Helicopter, Attack
 * Helicopter, Medical
 * Helicopter, Transport
 * Fighter, Attack
 * Fighter, Interceptor
 * Fighter, Reconnaissance
 * Trainer
 * Transport, Personnel
 * Transport, Supply

Vehicles Operated

 * Armoured Supply Carrier
 * Armoured Troop Carrier
 * Mobile Artillery Piece
 * Reconnaissance Vehicle
 * Support Vehicle
 * Tank, Heavy
 * Tank, Light

Ships Operated

 * Aircraft Carrier
 * Cruiser
 * Destroyer
 * Frigate
 * Corvette


 * Fleet Depot Ship
 * Fleet Repair Ship
 * Hospital Ship
 * Tanker Ship
 * Transport, Heavy
 * Transport, Light

Arginian Air Force (AAF)

 * 1 Wing - 12 Wing (1 Aile-12 Aile)
 * Nº 1 - 24 Squadrons, Nº 25 - 49 Squadrons, Nº 50 - 74 Squadrons, Nº 75 - 99 Squadrons, Nº 100 - 124 Squadrons, Nº 125 - 149 Squadrons, Nº 150 - 174 Squadrons, Nº 175 - 199 Squadrons, Nº 200 - 224 Squadrons, Nº 225 - 249 Squadrons, Nº 250 - 274 Squadrons, Nº 275 - 299 Squadrons

Arginian Army (AA)

 * 1 - 48 Division (Infantry)
 * 49 - 60 Division (Mechanized Infantry)
 * 61 - 78 Division (Armor)
 * 79 - 84 Division (Artillery)

Arginian Navy (AN)

 * 1 - 4 Fleet

Arginian Strategic Forces (ASF)

 * 1 - 6 Missile Group
 * Nº 1 - 14 Commando

The Strategic Information Operations System - also known (and most commonly referred to) as SIOP - is an Oracle-V supercomputer housed in the Mount Ernmore Complex in the heart of Arginium. It is an integrated tactical and strategic military analysis and operations coordination system designed to provide real time situational analysis of ongoing regional and world issues, and give the Chiefs of Staff Committee data and projections from which to help further refine their own defensive and offensive operations.

Analysis
SIOP is fed a regular and constant flow of data from various sources within the Arginian military, security and intelligence communities, as well as the foreign service. The system thoroughly analyzes this information, and uses it to suggest possible causes for the issues pertaining to said data. It also recommends possible solutions, as well as potential responses the State may consider if the issue requires its attention. The system likewise will project potential further actions and reactions that any involved powers may undertake, be it those directly involved or affected, and those neighboring powers, as well. The State uses these analyses in its regular military operations and preparedness activities.

Continuity of Communications
The Armed Forces maintain a programme known as "Continuity of Communications" - or CONTCOMM - through which strategic military command and control communications can be maintained in the event the central military communications network is disabled or destroyed. SIOP helps to maintain the "multi faceted system" which provides the State with its CONTCOMM needs, by helping to co-ordinate open a secondary system of backup communications opens that can both shoulder military communications needs in an emergency situation, or can provide additional, secure communications channels for specific, critical needs. CONTCOMM consists of the following systems -


 * Mirage
 * TACAMO
 * Watchkeeper

Nuclear Arsenal
The State maintains the following nuclear-armed forces, comprising what collectively is known as the National Nuclear Arsenal. The State commands the single largest nuclear arsenal in the world. SIOP helps co-ordinate the operations and communications of the NNA, while simultaneously providing additional security for these activities. It likewise provides secure channels for the critical, time-sensitive communications the NNA passes between its various elements.

The present, full nuclear arsenal of the State consists of the following -


 * 500 ICBMs (intercontinental ballistic missiles)(Warden-IX missle w/ W-81 75 KT warhead w/ 13,000 km range)
 * 5,000 GABs (gravity atomic bomb)(Mk 27 & Mk 29 w/ W-77c 75 KT warhead)
 * 500 ADCs (atomic depth charge)(T-90 w/ 5 KT warhead)
 * 6 SSBs (ballistic missile submarine)(each carrying 24 missiles, each w/ with 12 MIRVs and 7,500 km range)

Operations Planning
In conjunction with its analysis functions, SIOP uses those same data sources it analyzes - the military, security and intelligence agencies, and the foreign service - in support of the tactical and strategic planning groups of the armed services. This support includes the development of new operations designed around or in response to ongoing matters, the formulation of a range of response plans for different potential outcomes to a given situation, and the study of potential outcomes of said activities.

Perimeter
The Perimeter, nicknamed "Dead Hand", is a semi-automatic nuclear arsenal control system employed by the Armed Forces. An example of fail-deadly and mutual assured destruction deterrence, it can automatically trigger the launch of the NNA's intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) by sending a pre-entered highest-authority order if a nuclear strike is detected by seismic, light, radioactivity, and overpressure sensors even with the commanding elements fully destroyed. By most accounts, it is normally switched off and is supposed to be activated during dangerous crises only; however, it is said to remain fully functional and able to serve its purpose whenever it may be needed.

Perimeter
Also known by its nickame "Dead Hand", Perimeter is a nuclear weapons control system operated by the State Arginium. It is a fail-deadly deterrence system, designed to automatically trigger the launch of the State’s strategic nuclear arsenal in the event nuclear strikes against Arginium by another power have crippled the nation's leadership and severely damaged or destroyed the normal methods by which strategic weapons would be deployed. The system is only fully active during the most severe of crisis situations.

Background
The project to develop and enact Perimeter began on the orders of then-Prime Minister, Reginald Bennett, after he had secured approval for its the development programme's funding from Parliament in 2027. Discussions of establishing a fail-deadly system to ensure retaliation was still possible even if the State’s leadership were lost to enemy strikes had been ongoing for several decades by this point. The entire project, green-lighted in August of 2027, was code-named Project Silent Herald and assigned to the Strategic Forces Staff (STRATSTAFF) of the Arginian Armed Forces, with STRADA providing advice and support. Silent Herald encompassed everything from the writing of Perimeter's software to the planning for and eventual integration of the system into the National Defence Network (NATDEFNET), and took three years to complete at a total cost of £22.1 million.

Perimeter first came fully online in November of 2030, and has operated ever since. It is unknown how many times since then it has been switched to active alert mode.

Purpose
The Perimeter is an alternative, backup emergency communications system for the nation's ICBM arsenal, overseen by the Strategic Forces Staff. In the event the primary command and control system through which this arsenal would be deployed, it exists to ensure that nuclear retaliation can still be carried out. It likewise acts as a buffer against hasty decisions based upon unverified information. During times of extreme crisis, the system can be placed on standby alert, while the national command authority awaits further developments, assured that even the destruction of all key personnel with authority to command a nuclear response in kind to similar strikes. Thus, the possibility of a false alarm triggered retaliation is removed.

Standby Passive
Under normal conditions, Perimeter is set to "standby passive", meaning the system is operational but not actively monitoring the National Emergency Defence Sensor Grid (NEDSG), and likewise will not respond to the criteria for an automated launch. Some claim (though the claim remains unproven) that the system has never actually been in "passive" mode, but is permanently on "alert".

Standby Alert
In the event of a severe international crisis, such as where any open or potential threat of military action - up to and including the threat to deploy nuclear weapons - exists, Perimeter can be switched from "Standby Passive" to "Standby Alert", which brings the system to fully active and operational status. This switch-over can only be done on direct order of the Monarch upon consultation with the Prime Minister and the Minister of National Defence. When switched over, the system, via SIOP, monitors the National Emegency Defence Sensor Grid (NEDSG), which uses special sensors strategically located around the State to monitor seismic, light, radioactivity, and overpressure levels.

Command Missiles
Upon detection of any of the relevant indicators of nuclear strikes by the NEDSG, or the determination that nuclear strikes have occurred, the system automatically launches four 18P-01 command missiles, with each being launched from a different secure location. These four missiles fly a pre-planned trajectory over the State and broadcast signals to missile bases in the area, whose receivers are equipped to detect, recognize, and decipher the coded signals. These signals contain commands to the base computers to open silos and commence launch protocols. In the event these four missiles are ever launched, the full ICBM arsenal of the State will be airborne within the next five minutes.

Coordination & Control
Coordination and control of Perimeter is managed by SIOP, which monitors and maintains the system under a very strict set of programmes and protocols which govern its regulation and deployment.

Triggers
Perimeter will be tripped automatically by SIOP - launching the command missiles which broadcasts the command codes necessary for missile bases to independently fire their ICBMs - if a sufficient number of the following are confirmed to take place -

Detection of the four following criteria guarantees launch -


 * NEDSG detects seismic disturbances of strength and duration commensurate with a nuclear detonation.
 * NEDSG detects extreme high-band light levels commensurate with a nuclear detonation.
 * NEDSG detects radiation levels commensurate with those caused by one or more nuclear detonations.
 * NEDSG detects extreme overpressure levels commensurate with a nuclear detonations.

Lacking the necessary detection from NEDSG, several other criteria exist by which SIOP can determine if ICBM launch is warranted -


 * No regular DEFSTAFF status broadcasts have been detected in the last four hours.
 * ABC-5 has stopped broadcasting for more than four hours.
 * DSB-76 is offline for more than two hours.

National Honours
The collective body of titles, awards, and distinctions currently presented by the State of Arginium, to individuals and organisations that have earned them through various means.

History
When the Four Kingdoms were united under a single crown as a result of the  Act of Union in 1433, each of the predecessor states already had peerages of their own. To both preserve these peers, and to similarly recognize them formally under the authority of the newly-created Argent Crown, they were entered into the newly created Royal Black Book as "recognized as pre-existing but established anew", meaning they were recognized as pre-dating the founding of the new united state, but were likewise "re-created" in a sense by the newly-established, united monarchy. The titles so affected that are still extant are the oldest among those of the Egredoran peerage.

Titles
Titles a type of Honour that grants a special mode of address to individuals in recognition for service(s) rendered to the State in many different ways. This category of Honours is unique in that it is the only type that is given out solely on Imperial discretion, i.e. only the Sovereign can grant a title, and is not required to consult the Parliament prior to doing so.

Many present holders of titles (excluding those holding the title of Sir or Dame) are hereditary nobles within the Peerage of Arginium, which refers to families that held their titles prior to the constitutional reformation of TBD.

At present, the titles are -


 * Lord (Baron if male, Baroness if female)
 * Knight (Sir if male, Dame if female)

Hold
Titles followed by (x) are considered Royal dukedoms, which are held exclusively by members of the Royal Family.

Dukedoms

 * Casfrel (x)
 * Highbury (x)
 * Highscarp (x)
 * Karlington (x)
 * Kinvale (x)
 * Ledford (x)
 * Milflor (x)
 * Mosrace (x)
 * Vislawn (x)
 * Waltham

Earldoms

 * Acton
 * Altamont
 * Carlow
 * Clive
 * Fairburn
 * Fielding
 * Grimsby
 * Kirkenwall
 * Marley
 * Sydon
 * Tarnworth
 * the Tor
 * Westonly
 * Wilton

Viscountcies

 * Ayre
 * Gilford
 * Roxleigh

Baronies

 * Crestwater
 * High Ridge
 * Mourncreek
 * Threadmore

Healthcare
Healthcare is delivered through ten regional systems of publicly funded health care, which collectively comprise a network informally called National Health. It is guided by the provisions of several Acts of Parliament, most prominently the National Health Care Act, and the Health Care Privacy & Accessibility Act.

The healthcare system of the State is overseen and co-ordinated by the National Health Administration, referred to commonly by its acronym, NHA. The NHA is an independent State Administration co-ordinated by the Department of State for Public Health.

Current Status
Her Majesty’s Government ensures the quality of care through nationally mandated standards. Each regional branch of the NHA are responsible for maintaining a central database which maintains all information with regards to the health and care history of each patient living within that region, each filed under a unique NHA number and not by patient name. Each Arginian citizen is assigned this number at birth, and it is used from then until death to both identify them to providers and insurers, and to file their information in a manner only controlled access can link to the individual in question.

Competitive practices such as advertising are kept to a minimum, to maximize the percentage of revenue that goes directly towards care. Costs are paid through funding from national general tax revenues - the income tax, sales tax, and corporation tax. In addition to funding via the tax system, medcentres, polyclinics, and medical research are funded in part by charitable contributions and the support of various private firms. For example, the energy firm PPE and the industrial giant Fabritech both contribute 5% of their annual revenue to the National Health budget. Both firms enjoy modest tax deductions in exchange.

Benefits & Features
An NHA Card is issued by the Department of State for Public Health to all individuals at birth, and everyone receives the same level of care. The number on this card is ten digits, broken up in three-three-four format. This number, along with the citizen's name, county, and city of birth are printed on the card, and every citizen presents this card any time they visit a health care provider for purposes of allowing treatment and claims to be properly filed. All information related to a patient's medical history, treatment history, and other pertinent data is considered highly confidential, and permission for access to or dissemination of any aspects - to doctors, research groups, and others in the various aspects of the medical industry - is solely at the discretion of each individual. This permission can be revoked at any time, with or without reason.

There are no deductibles for basic and preventive care, check-ups, dental cleanings and x-rays, or replacement frames and lenses for glasses. These needs are completely covered. Co-pays are low or non-existent for all general pharmaceuticals (Tier 1), such as those for blood pressure, heart conditions, arthritis, and other necessary maintenance drugs. Small deductibles are charged for Tier 2 medicines, and slightly higher deductibles for Tier 3 medicines. Physicians are permitted to charge small fees to patients for missed appointments, printing copies of notes and records, and for prescription refills done via the telephone. Prescription drug costs are regulated under the authority of the Department of State for Public Health.

Family physicians (listed in NHA records and in all medical filings and billings as general practitioners, or GPs) are selected by the individual. If a patient wishes to see a specialist or is counselled to see a specialist by their GP, a referral is made by the GP in the local community. Preventive care and early detection are considered critical and yearly checkups are recommended for everyone.

Care for infertility is only covered at 25%, and all other expenses are required to be paid for by the patient. This is done typically by pre-arranged payment plans tailored according to the patient's income and financial status. General psychiatric assessments and consultations are covered at 50%, but will be covered at 100% if a patient requires full-time commitment to a psychiatric centre. Cosmetic surgery for vanity purposes is not covered, as it is not considered essential. Treatments for autism and other related conditions are fully covered. Health coverage is not affected by loss or change of jobs, cannot be denied due to unpaid premiums, and there is no lifetime limit or exclusions for pre-existing conditions. Provisions of the National Health Care Act stipulate that all essential physician and hospital care be covered by the NHA, and a listing dictates that procedures are essential.

Structure & Organization
Doctors and nurses in the State are ranked according to their status within the medical community.

Practitioners
Within the State, the term "practitioner" is used to refer to those physicians who have completed six to nine years of medical school and on the job training, and are fully-certified doctors of medicine. They are categorised as general practitioners or specialist practitioners. There are three ranks of doctors -


 * Attending Physicians - An attending physician has completed their full training and is practicing independently in their chosen specialty. This term is used at teaching facilities to differentiate fully credentialed senior physicians from junior physicians who are still completing their higher education.  In the hierarchy of physicians, the attending is at the top under only the physicians who oversee departments or run the treatment centre itself.  Attendings may also be known as staff physicians, and may be trained as an MD or a DO.
 * Resident Physician - Residency follows the intern year. At this point, when the internship year has been completed and a third level examination has been passed, the physician may practice as a general practitioner (GP).  While practicing independently is possible, the vast majority of physicians choose to pursue a residency for further training.  Residency can range from two to seven years of additional training, depending on the specialty.  For example, a family practice residency would be two years of residency while a surgery residency may last five to seven more years.
 * Intern Physician - After completing medical school and taking their second level examination, a doctor completes their first year of post-medical school training. This year is referred to as the intern year.  The intern does not have the right to practice unsupervised medicine and must practice within the confines of the training program in which they are enrolled.  All decisions they make must be pre-approved by the supervising attending before being carried out.

Those individuals still in medical school are referred to simply as medical students.

Physicians in the State operate on the "long coat, short coat" rule. Only attending physicians and surgeons wear the full length white coat, aka the "long coat", while resident and intern physicians and surgeons wear the standard blazer-length white coat, aka the "short coat".

While it is generally true that the shorter the coat, the less training an individual has received, the short coat versus long coat rule is not absolute. The shortest white coats are worn by medical students, who are not physicians or surgeons until they graduate. Interns also wear short coats, but not quite as short as those worn by students. Residents typically wear longer coats and attendings wear a full-length coat. Other professions in healthcare also wear lab coats, including nurse practitioners, phlebotomists, and other allied health professionals.

Nurses

 * Nurse Manager or Nurse Supervisor: As part of the floor leadership team, nurse managers, nurse supervisors and head nurses assume responsibility of all nursing operations in the various units of the medcentre. They generally arrange care and support patients, as well as other tasks such as scheduling and hiring staff. A bachelor’s degree is required for management positions, and a master’s degree is recommended.
 * Nurse Practitioner (NP): NPs are registered nurses (RN) with advanced education and clinical training in a healthcare specialty area. Nurse practitioners can work with people of all ages and their families, and they provide important information useful in making decisions regarding healthcare and lifestyle. Nurse practitioners practice in accordance with the Nurse Practice Act. Most nurse practitioners are also nationally certified in an area of specialty.
 * Advanced Practical Nurse (APN): APNs provide patient care and treatment services in collaboration with a physician. In some states, they can practice independently with full authority and without a collaborative agreement with a physician. They are qualified to diagnose and treat patients. APNs require a master’s degree.
 * Staff Nurse (SN): Staff and bedside nurses provide direct patient care. They are typically registered nurses who monitor, observe and assess patients. They are the first point of contact for questions or concerns that patients may have. SNs require at least an associate degree, although many have a bachelor’s degree.
 * Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN): LPNs and LVNs provide basic medical care. Duties can include changing bandages, inserting catheters, administering oral medications, taking vital signs and writing notes in the patient’s chart. LPNs and LVNs must complete an approved educational program that requires approximately two years of training.

Special Titles

 * Chief of Medicine (COM): The most senior physician in the entire treatment centre, who oversees all medical matters at that particular facility. They are superior to all physicians and surgeons at the facility, including consultants.  They are required by law to be a fully qualified physician or surgeon and remain up-to-date on their certifications.
 * Chief of Nursing (CON): The most senior nurse in the entire treatment centre, who oversees all nursing matters at that particular facility. They are superior to all nurses at the facility, including consultants.  They work closely with the Chief of Medicine, to whom they also report.  They are required by law to be a fully qualified and registered nurse and must remain up-to-date on their certifications.

Facilities
Medicare facilities within the State fall into one of four general types, and this type is incorporated into its name. In many cases, one of each of these facilities will be found as part of a medical campus, all operating under the same name, but each facility being a separate part of the overall complex. The types are -


 * General Treatment Centres (GTCs): Medicare centres which provide non-emergency medical surgical services to patients. These facilities will house the specialist departments of a medical campus, as well as minor surgery facilities, as well as anaesthetics and diagnostic imaging facilities.
 * Emergency Treatment Centres (ETCs): Medicare centres which provide dedicated emergency medical and surgical services and critical care to patients. These facilities will house the majority of the medicare departments, with the exclusion of psychiatric services.
 * Rehabilitation Centres (RCs): Dedicated facilities which provide speech and physical therapy, drug recovery, and other related services to patients on an ongoing basis. These facilities will house all aspects of the occupational therapy department.
 * Psychiatric Centres (PCs): Dedicated facilities which provide psychiatric services to patients on an ongoing basis. These facilities will house the psychological services, with diagnostic imaging support facilities, as well.

Departments
Treatment centres across the State have a universal departmental structure. They consist of four categories of departments - medicare departments, which attend to the immediate medical and surgical needs of patients; specialist departments, which provide consultations and services related to specific areas of medical need; auxiliary departments, which provide various necessary secondary support services to both the medicare and specialist departments; and support departments, which handle various general services not necessarily directly connected to medical operations.

Medicare Departments

 * Anaesthetics
 * Critical Care
 * Diagnostic Imaging
 * Emergency Services
 * Nursing Administration
 * Orderly Services
 * Pyschological Services
 * Surgical Services

Specialist Departments

 * Cardiology
 * Dermatology
 * Ear, Nose & Throat
 * Elderly Services
 * Gastroenterology
 * Genitourinary Medicine
 * Gynecology
 * Hematology
 * Maternity
 * Microbiology
 * Neonatal Services
 * Nephrology
 * Neurology
 * Nutrition & Dietetics
 * Obstetrics
 * Occupational Therapy
 * Oncology
 * Optometry
 * Ophthalmology
 * Orthopedics
 * Pain Management
 * Pediatrics
 * Physiotherapy
 * Pulmonology
 * Radiotherapy
 * Rheumatology
 * Urology

Auxiliary Departments

 * Chaplaincy
 * Discharge Lounge
 * Laboratory
 * Pharmacy
 * Transport Services

Support Departments

 * Administrative
 * Catering Services
 * Housekeeping
 * Maintenance
 * Plant Services
 * Technical Services

Aerospace

 * Arcfire
 * AeroTech
 * Edgars
 * REPCONA (Rocket Engineering & Production Company Of Northern Arginium)

Airlines

 * Equinox Airlines
 * Horizon Airlines
 * Imperial Star Airlines
 * Skylanes Airways

Agricultural

 * AgriCorp

Arms & Ammunition

 * Brownlow
 * Edgars
 * Wenham

Automobiles

 * Armitage Auto Works
 * Chryslon Motors
 * Consolidated Motors

Banking & Finance

 * City & Suburban Bank
 * Price-Wellstone
 * StatBank

Bio-Medicine

 * Almid Pharmaceuticals
 * BetterLife
 * MedCo
 * Medi-Tek
 * PharmaLux
 * TheraGene

Energy

 * Esson
 * Exelon
 * Lexer
 * Optum
 * PPE

Foodstuffs

 * Maynard
 * Pep!
 * Quench
 * Surefresh
 * Welling

Hospitality

 * Belgrove
 * Langham
 * Vendome

Logistics

 * Westfield Transport

Luxury

 * Pentex

Manufacturing

 * B&B Tools
 * CEC
 * ChemTech
 * Fabritech
 * Opirus
 * UNIMEG
 * Vulca

Media

 * ABC
 * Davenport Media
 * OBE Entertainment
 * Vangsness

Newspapers

 * Daily Broadsheets - Morning Star, Daily Herald, National Telegraph
 * Specialist Broadsheets - Arginian Worker, Daily News, The Echo, Financier & Bullionist
 * Populist Tabloids - Daily Chronicle, The Independent, The Inquirer, The Observer

Retail, Dry Goods

 * Compton's
 * Consu-Mart
 * Goodspirit
 * Luxomart
 * Reliable
 * Ultra-Mart

Retail, Grocery

 * Merryfair
 * Morsels
 * Premier
 * Red Circle


 * Cereals - Multi Munch, Pop, Tiny Treatlets

Restaurants

 * Admiral’s Sandwich Company
 * Daly's Diner
 * Golden Grille
 * In-n-Out
 * Luxobrew
 * National Perk
 * Winslow's

Security

 * Securis

Shipbuilding

 * Frobisher
 * Lewis & Sutton
 * Navitech

Technology

 * Dynatech
 * Glocom
 * InterroTech
 * Locksoft
 * RandCo
 * Versicorps

Telecommunications

 * Arginian Telephone & Telegraph
 * National Telecomm
 * Teletron

Waste Management

 * BioGuard

Ashcroft Model
The collective name for a system of model laws concerning corporate culture, governance, and hierarchy that originated in the State of Arginium. It is a combination of standards - some official laws and some unofficial traditions - that have long been the general metric which influences the methods governing everything from daily operations to the power structure of corporate entities established and operating within the State.

The Model was adopted nearly 200 years ago, at the turn of the twentieth century, and was heavily influenced by the business and finance theories that had arisen from the waning years of the Industrial Revolution. The key impetus for the development of the Model was due to variations in how a corporation was defined, and the eventual recognition that action by Parliament would be required to rein in the confusion. The variations and uncertainties had resulted in many lawsuits in which promoters were sued personally for obligations ostensibly incurred in the name of various nascent corporations. The adoption of the Model brought greater clarity to such confusion and to corporate law issues.

The Model is named after Henry Arnold Ashcroft, a legendary nineteenth century Arginian economist who was one of the most influential voices in National economics and business in the Industrial Revolution era, and whose lobbying played a significant role in the adoption, between 1897 and 1900, of three key laws which would form the core of the new Model - the Standard Business Corporation Act, the Trades Descriptions Act, and the Sale of Goods Act.

The Model is also occasionally referred to as the "Ashcroft Code", as some within corporate Arginium see it as an almost-sacred metric by which honourable and equitable business is conducted. Its prominence has influenced similar systems in other nations in the years since its adoption within the State.

Board of Directors
The collective central decision making body of a firm, be it a for-profit or not-for-profit entity. The powers, duties, and responsibilities of each firm's board is determined by a combination of government regulations and the bylaws and charter of the firm itself.

Supervisory Board
A group of individuals chosen by the stockholders of a firm to represent them and promote their interests to the board of directors. They meet with the board of directors on a regularly scheduled basis, and likewise attend the monthly shareholders meetings. The size of the supervisory board is dependent upon the size of the firm itself.

Corporate Structure
The corporate structure (or hierarchy) is the system which shows what duties and responsibilities individual employees have within an organization. These structures are used by both publicly and privately held for-profit firms.

While the general titles are standardised, firms will list additional information onto the title to detail the employee's duties and specialisation(s). The is additional data is known as that person's "occupational specialty". For example, a senior associate in the Production Department of Consolidated Motors, responsible for a machine on the manufacturing line, will have the occupational specialty "Senior Associate (Machinist)" listed in their personnel record, tax record, and on their weekly pay slip. A supervisor in the same department in charge of the paint and detailing section will have the occupational specialty "Supervisor (Paint & Detailing)".

Executive Level
The highest-level executives in any firm are collectively known as "executive management", are known as directors, and form what is commonly known in business slang as the "E-Suite". These officials are directly responsible for overseeing a firm's day-to-day operations and business.


 * Managing Director
 * Director (with most common types listed below)
 * of Accounts
 * of Administration
 * of Analytics
 * of Communications
 * of Compliance
 * of Information
 * of Innovation
 * of Legal Services
 * of Marketing
 * of Procurement
 * of Production
 * of Quality Assurance
 * of Research & Development
 * of Risk Management
 * of Sales
 * of Security
 * of Sustainability

Co-Ordinator Level

 * Manager
 * Supervisor

Staff

 * Team Leader
 * Senior Associate
 * Associate